THE MERCHANT'S SECRET: My Unexpected Isekai Life

THE MERCHANT'S SECRET: My Unexpected Isekai Life

The Guitarist · Completed · 124.4k Words

830
Hot
1.2k
Views
0
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

Dirk wakes up in a magical world with low stats and a bag full of ordinary Earth items. He completes strange quests, gains friends, and uncovers secrets, others begin to realize his hidden power is far beyond anything the realm has ever seen. While Dirk believes he's weak, the truth is—he might be the strongest of them all.

Chapter 1

It had been almost three years since my grandfather passed away—three years of relentless nightmare. I was just 15 years old when the bus accident happened. Losing my only family changed me. A part of me disappeared—my light, my smile, and my will to move forward.

I loved the old man so much. It had always been the two of us in our small apartment. Now, looking at his picture beside my bed, three years felt like forever. The frame was slightly worn from the time I had picked it up, tracing his familiar smile with my finger, as if that could bring him back.

“I miss you, Grandpa,” I whispered, glancing at the calendar. A red circle marked today's date. I had planned this trip for months—a week of solitude in the wilderness, the same place my grandfather and I used to camp. The thought of returning to those familiar woods both comforted me and unsettled me. Would they feel the same without him? Would I?

Finally, I managed to clear my schedule at the Filipino convenience store, trading shifts and saving enough to make this journey happen.

Grabbing my huge green backpack and the camping gear under the bed, the fabric slightly dusty from disuse.

Yesterday, I stocked up on groceries and essentials, carefully selecting the same kind of coffee and biscuits and soft bread my grandfather used to drink over the fire. The scent alone might bring back memories I wasn't sure I was ready for. I took a deep breath, adjusting the straps on my shoulders. It was time to go.

After an hour on the train and three more on the bus, I finally arrived in the small town and began my trek into the wilderness. The familiar scent of damp earth and pine filled the air as I walked, each step bringing me close to the place where my grandfather and I once camped.

A few hours later, I reached my destination—but I hadn't expected the storm. The sky was dark, even though it wasn't afternoon yet. Heavy rain poured down, turning the ground into thick mud. Thunder rumbled overhead, followed by flashes of lightning that lit up the trees. I wasn't scared, just frustrated. I checked the weather and planned everything carefully. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Then, without warning, a blinding light engulfed me. A sharp, searing pain shot through my body. I know I screamed my grandfather's name before everything went dark.

I, Dirk Robinson Jr., died at the age of 18—with nothing but my green backpack.


“Come on, human, wake up.” An unfamiliar voice echoed in my ears like distant thunder. "Human! Wake up!"

I took a deep breath, and slowly, I opened my eyes and looked around me.

I’m… not dead? But I know for sure I died.

The blinding light, the searing pain—I remember it all. Lightning struck me. I should be gone.

So why am I still alive?

Hell, I know I have a boring life, an average half-Asian, half-Irish person with an ordinary look and height, but to die so young? Wasn't it too unfair?

“Dirk? Are you okay?”

I furrowed my brow, searching for the source of the voice. Then, my breath caught in my throat.

The surrounding place was massive, glowing with an ethereal light. Towering statues of angels—or maybe gods—stood in perfect rows, their stone faces staring down at me. The air itself shimmered, thick with something beyond human understanding. Woah! Is this heaven?

"Are you okay, Dirk Robinson Jr?" the male voice asked again.

I turned to look—and my mouth fell open.

Standing before me was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His eyes were as deep and endless as the ocean, glowing with an unnatural light. His silver hair flowed past his shoulders, yet he didn’t look old. If anything, he radiated power, like something out of a legend.

I gawked. Am I… seeing things? Or is this really heaven?

"Is this heaven?" I asked, my voice unsteady.

The man smiled, soft but regretful. "Nope. This is my sorting domain."

I blinked. "Are you a god?"

"Well...something like that. "I am a guardian," his smile faltered as he shut his eyes briefly. "I’m sorry. This is my mistake. You weren’t supposed to die yet."

I raised a brow. "Then why am I… um, dead?"

"For that, I apologise. I can't go with the details, but I admit I accidentally killed you with my lightning. I flicked my finger the wrong way." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn’t see you down there. But don’t worry; I can, um, give you choices. I mean, compensation."

"Compensation?"

"Yes," he answered with pride.

I bit my lip. "So… this isn’t heaven?"

"You aren't listening, are you? I repeat, this is my, um, domain. I sort souls, you know—deciding whether they go to heaven or the underworld.” He straightened, as if proud of his work.

I folded my arms. "And my choice?"

He hesitated before answering. "I can send you to heaven… or you can be reincarnated or be summoned from another world."

My mind raced. Is this like one of those isekai novels and comics I used to read? Wow. And those sexy elves? Why not? A smirk crossed my lips. “So, I have choices, huh? ” I asked smugly.

“Yes. But you can’t go back to Earth.”

My eyes widened. “But why?”

“It’s complicated. Your death was…um, I mean, unregistered. If you’re reincarnated or summoned to another world, you’ll likely never see Earth again.”

I took a deep breath, my mind spinning. I have read dozens of isekai books and watched even more anime. I knew exactly what I wanted. To live peacefully with lots and lots of money. Besides, I didn’t have anyone on Earth. Why not try something new? “Another world… a fantasy world? Or a random world?” I asked, already thinking of the possibilities.

“I’m a kind guardian,” he said with a smile. “I can send you to any world you want.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I can give you three gifts or a cheat skill.” The guardian smiled, a subtle flicker of pride.

“Okay,” I smiled, wondering if he could read my mind. “I want to be summoned, not reborn. Being reborn sounds like too much of a hassle. I want to start my new life immediately.”

“Good. As a guardian, I’ll send you to the world you choose. Take your time to think.”

“There’s no need to think,” I replied, grinning. “I know exactly what I want.”

The guardian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Interesting. You’re different. I like that. Tell me what you want.”

“I want to be summoned and go to a fantasy world with magic and a status screen,” I said, already imagining it.

“Alright. What about the gifts? You can choose if you like,” he asked.

I thought about it. A world with magic and monsters? Perfect. “I want something that can stop me from getting sick, poisoned, or anything related to getting wounded.”

“You want healing magic?” The guardian nodded, as if he understood what I meant. “I can give you that. In fact, I can give you more than that. I’ll give you a magical body shield.”

“A body shield?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said with a smile. “I’ll cast a powerful magic shield on you. It's like you are inside a magical bubble. Nothing—no person, no monster—will ever be able to hurt you. It will protect you forever, as long as you live.”

Now that sounded amazing. “Okay. I like that.”

“Good. Now, about the second gift—”

“Wait,” I interrupted. “Can I have my backpack instead?”

“Really?”

“Yes, and everything inside it. The one I was carrying when I died. It was important to me. It was a gift from my old man.”

The guardian snapped his fingers, and there it was—my precious green backpack, floating in front of me.

“Is this the one you want?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, my heart racing. “But I want it to be magical.”

“A magical backpack?”

I smirked, “Yes. I want all my goods inside to never run out.”

“I see.” The guardian smiled knowingly. “And never get lost?”

“Exactly!” I grinned.

The guardian snapped his fingers again, and my backpack glowed with a faint, otherworldly green light.

“For an extra bonus”, he said with a wink, “it can never be stolen, and everything inside will never perish.”

My eyes sparkled. “That’s perfect.”

“Now, for your third gift,” he said, his voice a little more serious.

“I’ll give you intelligence, and you'll be able to understand all the language and have a little magical ability,” the guardian continued with another wink.

“Fantastic, but what kind of magical abilities?” I asked, curious. Why was he always winking, by the way?

“That’s something you’ll discover for yourself,” he replied with a snort. “I can’t give you everything at once—it’d be like cheating. But you have a bright soul, Dirk Robinson. You’re kind and gentle, yet you were born in the wrong world. I’m granting you something special. It’s up to you to use it wisely. I just hope I’ll see you again, and your soul will still be as bright as now.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t believe it—this was my new beginning. A new life, a new adventure. I smiled through the tears.

“I promise I won’t disappoint you,” I said, my voice shaking with emotion. “Thank you for everything.”

The guardian’s expression softened at my words, his glowing eyes reflecting a rare, sincere warmth.

“Don’t thank me just yet, Dirk. You’re the one who will create your new life. I’m merely the guide. The world you choose will be filled with challenges and adventures. But remember this—no matter where you go, you carry with you the potential to change it.”

I nodded, wiping my tears away. My heart raced. This was it. This was my new beginning. A world full of magic, adventure, and endless possibilities awaited me. I have the power to shape my own destiny now. My own slow life in another world. Yes!

“Alright,” I said, taking a deep breath, a determined look settling on my face. “I’m ready.”

The guardian smiled, a subtle flicker of pride in his eyes. “Very well, Dirk Robinson Jr. Your journey begins now.”

With a snap of his fingers, the world around me began to blur, colours and shapes swirling together like a vortex pulling me into the unknown. The guardian’s voice echoed in my mind as I felt myself being pulled away.

“Remember what I said. You have the power to change the world. Use it wisely.”

And just like that, everything vanished.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

The Badass Mafia Princess and Family

The Badass Mafia Princess and Family

190.1k Views · Ongoing · Tonje Unosen
Betty have been living a lie for as long as she can remember. She have been abused by her parents her whole life, even though she is a broken and abused girl in her own home. Outside of those four walls she is a force to be reckoned with! She is not afraid to do what she need to stay alive!
Letting Go

Letting Go

366.3k Views · Completed · Becky j
Molly's life was perfect. She was married to her high school sweetheart, surrounded by her friends and family and she was looking forward to the future. But that all ends one tragic night when her whole world is turned upside down.
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
Surrendering to Destiny

Surrendering to Destiny

339.1k Views · Completed · Allison Franklin
Catherine is not only a rogue half-breed, she is also the result of mate-bond infidelity, was abandoned as a baby and, to top it off, she can only shift during the full moon. When Catherine left the only pack she'd ever known in order to escape the new alpha, the last thing she expected was to find her mate... let alone for him to be the mouth-watering, heavily tattooed, lead warrior of the most feared lycan pack on the continent.

Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.

From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.

Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan

131.2k Views · Completed · Mary D. Sant
"What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall.
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.


Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.

She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan

Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!

Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.

Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
Omega Bound

Omega Bound

295.1k Views · Ongoing · Veronica White
Ayla Frost is a beautiful, rare omega. Kidnapped, tortured, and trafficked to rogue clans and corrupt alphas to do with as they pleased.  Kept alive in her cage, broken and abandoned by her wolf, she becomes mute and has given up on hope for a better life until one explosion changes everything. 

Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life. 

Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
“Burn those who burned me!”

“Burn those who burned me!”

114.4k Views · Ongoing · Toddria Holiday
Follow several different stories of betrayal and revenge as the main characters finally seek justice and payback of those who betrayed them!

Burn those who burned me is an anthology book circulated on truth; justice; and REVENGE!

Story #1 The Ballad of Rabena Price.
Story #2 The rebirth of Clara Granger
Story #3 The violin of Graceland Teague
Story #4 The list for Josie Taylor

Story #5 COMING SOON!
The Mafia's Sugar Queen

The Mafia's Sugar Queen

83.3k Views · Ongoing · Gregory Ellington
In a world of debt, desperation, and dangerous desires, Hannah never imagined her survival would lead her into the arms of a powerful and mysterious man.

Struggling to save her ailing mother and escape crushing financial ruin, Hannah enters a high-stakes arrangement that promises to solve her problems—but at what cost? Leonardo, a man with shadows darker than night and power beyond imagination, offers her everything she needs. Luxury. Security. Protection.

But in the treacherous landscape of wealth and power, nothing is as simple as it seems.

As Hannah navigates a complex web of sugar dating, corporate warfare, and unexpected emotions, she discovers that some bargains come with strings that can either save you or destroy you completely.

When lines between transaction and passion blur, and enemies circle like sharks, Hannah must decide: Is survival worth the price of her soul?
Healing His Broken Luna....

Healing His Broken Luna....

103.9k Views · Completed · Jcsn 168
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha. Warning: This werewolf trilogy is not intended for anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who doesn't enjoy a good spanking. It will take you on adventures around the world, make you laugh, fall in love, crush your heart and possibly leave you drooling.
Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend

Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend

223k Views · Ongoing · Oguike Queeneth
“You are so fucking wet.” He nipped my skin and pulled me up to sink me down his length.

“You are going to take every inch of me.” He whispered as he thrusted up.

“Fuck, you feel so fucking good. Is this what you wanted, my dick inside you?” He asked, knowing I have benticing him since the beginning.

“Y..yes,” I breathed.


Brianna Fletcher had been running from dangerous men all her life but when she got an opportunity to stay with his elder brother after graduation, there she met the most dangerous of them all. Her brother's best friend, a mafia Don. He radiated danger but she couldn't stay away.

He knows his best friend's little sister is off limits and yet, he couldn't stop thinking of her.

Will they be able to break all rules and find closure in each other's arms?
I Am His Wolfless Luna

I Am His Wolfless Luna

340k Views · Completed · Heidi Judith
Ethan's fingers kept rubbing back and forth on my clitoris, while his penis kept jumping inside my body. Every joint on my body is sore and screaming for the next orgasm. All too quickly, I feel that electric tension winding tighter, a mounting pressure that threatens to shatter me. My hips lift involuntarily, urging him to continue his exploration, silently pleading for the release I’m so close to tasting.

Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.

"Please!! Ethan!!"


As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.

Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.

I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
The Wrong Alpha  - A Twist of Fate?

The Wrong Alpha - A Twist of Fate?

88.4k Views · Completed · Beth Jackson
Delilah can’t wait for her boyfriend to turn 17, for him to meet his Alpha wolf, and finally sense his fated mate. She has long since been predicted as his fated mate by all in their pack having been childhood sweethearts. They make a perfect couple so this would be the perfect love story for them. Surely fate couldn’t take an unexpected twist sending her on a painful path she didn’t expect? That painful path could change the person she once was but may bring an unexpected ally……could it be in a bitter twist of fate Delilah all along had held her hopes on the wrong Alpha?
Balance of Light and Shadow

Balance of Light and Shadow

84k Views · Ongoing · Chandrea
After escaping the brutalities of her pack, the rogue she-wolf is only interested in protecting those she cares for. While protecting the innocents during a royal raid, she runs into a wolf claiming to be the Alpha King and worse yet, he claims she is his Mate. She barely escaped that life alive and has been living as a human since she was a teenager and no one was going to make her go back.

Little did she know how much both worlds need her to bring peace and true freedom.